PA-Gov: Wolf Holds Money Lead Seven Weeks Before Election Day

Money-bagWith just over seven weeks to go, Wolf holds the money edge.

According to the State Election Bureau, who oversees campaign spending on all Pennsylvania races, Tom Wolf has raised a total of $28 million dollars since entering the race. Meanwhile, Gov. Corbett brought in $25 million.

According to the Associated Press, Wolf has about $6.5 million cash on hand compared to $4.8 million COH for Gov. Corbett. These figures were reported on the eve of the first of three scheduled debates between Corbett and Wolf.

Each candidate has also spent quite a bit of their treasure chest.

For the three-month spending bracket ending September 15th, Wolf’s campaign has raised about $9.6 million, spending $6.2 million. Corbett’s campaign has raised and spent just over $8 million. Since the governor’s race began in 2013, the candidates’ total spending has surpassed $60 million. This figure includes the three candidates Wolf beat in the May democratic primary.

Both candidates have received their funds in various ways from various outlets and organizations.

In September, for instance, Corbett received $3.5 million from the Republican Governors Association (RGA) which is headed by New Jersey Governor and Corbett pal Chris Christie.

Among Corbett’s other top donors are John Templeton Jr., CEO of the Templeton Foundation, with $420,000, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania with $346,846, and Interstate General Media, parent company of the Daily Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer, with $252,000. Top contributor groups include the natural gas industry, who’ve donated $648,000, likely in protest of Wolf’s proposed 5 percent fracking tax.

Despite Corbett’s many donors, the Wolf campaign has maintained its financial lead in the race just as steadily as it’s maintained its lead in the polling. Wolf financed his campaign with $11 million of his own money before gaining an additional $450,000 from his father and another 350,000 from his cousin. Though he hasn’t enjoyed the same party donations as Corbett, with just $261,000 from the Democratic Governors’ Association (DGA), Pennsylvania’s teachers and education groups have made up for it with a combined $1,110,000 in favor of Wolf’s plan to use his fracking tax to fund schools.

With the majority of funding spent on television advertisements, where a prime-time spot can cost nearly $7 million, both candidates will have the opportunity for free and equal air time tomorrow during the 30th Annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce dinner in Hershey.

Email:
  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen